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The risk of Monero for VASPs

Monero is a cryptocurrency that has been around since 2014. It is similar to Bitcoin in that it uses a blockchain to record transactions, but it differs in that it uses a unique algorithm that makes it more anonymous than Bitcoin. This makes it popular with people who value privacy, and it has also been used for illegal purposes such as money laundering.

Benefits of having monero on the platform:

There are many benefits to trading in Monero, including the fact that it is a highly private and anonymous currency. Unlike other cryptocurrencies, Monero transactions cannot be traced back to their original source, making it ideal for those who value privacy. In addition, Monero is also one of the most fungible currencies available, meaning that it can easily be exchanged for other assets or currencies. This makes it an attractive option for investors and traders looking to diversify their portfolios.

Compliance risks:

1. Money laundering - as Monero is a privacy-focused cryptocurrency, it could be used by criminals to launder money. This means that exchanges could be inadvertently facilitating money laundering if they allow Monero trading. 2. Sanctions risk - as Monero is not yet widely adopted, it may not be compliant with sanctions regimes that are in place in certain jurisdictions. This could expose exchange users to sanctions risks if they trade in Monero. 3. Regulatory risk - as Monero is a relatively new asset class, it is not yet regulated in many jurisdictions. This means that there is regulatory uncertainty surrounding Monero trading, which could lead to enforcement action against exchanges or individual traders in the future.





How can crypto exchanges mitigate the compliance risks of trading in Monero?

As the popularity of Monero continues to grow, so too do the compliance risks associated with trading in this digital currency. While there are a number of ways to mitigate these risks, crypto exchanges should be aware of the most common compliance risks associated with Monero and take steps to address them. The most common compliance risks associated with Monero are its anonymity and lack of KYC/AML procedures. Because Monero transactions can’t be traced, they may also be used to facilitate illegal activities. In order to mitigate these risks, exchanges should implement KYC/AML policies. These procedures will help ensure that customers are legitimate, and that their funds aren’t being used for illicit purposes Another compliance risk associated with Monero is its lack of regulation. Unlike other digital currencies, Monero is not currently subject to any regulatory oversight. This lack of regulation could allow criminals to use Monero for illegal activities such as money laundering and terrorist financing. To mitigate this risk, exchanges should only list coins that have been approved by a regulatory body such as the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). Finally, Monero is a volatile currency which means that its value can fluctuate rapidly. This volatility can lead to losses for exchanges if they are not careful when setting prices for Monero pairs. To mitigate this risk, exchanges should use price discovery mechanisms such as order books to set prices for Monero pairs.

Due to its privacy-focused technology and popularity, Monero has become a cryptocurrency of choice for darknet markets in recent years. For example, two of the most active markets, The Versus Project and ASAP, accept Monero. Both offer an array of illicit goods, including hard drugs, malware, stolen accounts and more.

In addition to the darknet markets, XMR has also become a rising star in ransomware. Experts say ransomware actors are increasingly demanding ransom payments in Monero, and some even charge less if a victim pays in the coin.

Several countries, including Japan, Australia and South Korea, have put severe regulatory pressure in recent years against cryptocurrency exchanges offering privacy coins, resulting in many delisting the coins in such territories. While the U.S. has not put as much pressure on exchanges, a number of major exchanges like Coinbase do not facilitate Monero exchanges.

Privacy coins like Monero that feature default anonymity are largely impervious to blockchain analytics. Consequently, most regulated crypto exchanges will not list Monero. Many have concluded that offering Monero trading while remaining compliant is simply impractical.

Mixers and opt-in privacy coins are different. While certain transactional information is concealed, sufficient information is available on the blockchain to achieve regulatory compliance when processing transactions involving mixers and opt-in privacy coins.

Consider the case of mixers. A regulated crypto exchange cannot identify the ultimate source or destination of funds if its customers' transactions involve mixers. However, by using blockchain analytics, the exchange can identify that its customers’ transactions include exposure to mixers – information the exchange can then consider to assess the riskiness of specific transactions or in determining whether to file suspicious activity reports (SARs).

At the end of the day, it is up to each individual crypto exchange to decide whether or not they want to offer monero trading. However, from a compliance perspective, it might be worth considering offering this currency. Monero is known for its privacy features, which could attract users who are looking for a more anonymous way to trade cryptocurrencies. Of course, there are also potential risks associated with offering monero trading, but these need to be weighed against the potential benefits before any decision is made.

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